Katy Perry is handing the baton to Carrie Underwood as her replacement on the American Idol judge’s table. Recall that Perry joined the show in 2018 alongside Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. At the time, American Idol was brought back from cancellation on its new network, ABC. Following American Idol’s revival, the Dark Horse singer remained integral to the show’s revitalization. Perry‘s energetic personality, quirky style, and candid feedback resonated with fans and contestants. However, in February 2024, Perry announced her exit from the program after being on the judging panel for seven seasons.
During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the singer revealed she was leaving to focus on her music career. Following Perry’s announcement, the hunt for the best American Idol replacement began. According to reports, the producers were in talks with some big names, including Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus. Unfortunately, fans won’t see either duo on the judge’s table. On Wednesday, media outlets reported that Katy Perry’s American Idol replacement would be Carrie Underwood. Recall that Underwood’s rise to fame began on the American Idol stage in 2005 during its fourth season. That year, she captivated audiences and judges with her incredible vocal range and country charm.
The singer went on to win the competition, with Bo Bice coming in second place. Since her victory on the show, Underwood has become one of the most successful artists to emerge from the franchise. She has also released nine studio albums, sold around 85 million records, and has eight Grammy Awards. Carrie Underwood’s return to American Idol as a judge will mark a full-circle moment for the singer and the show. According to reports, the producers will make the official announcement on August 1, 2024. Underwood will begin judging duties alongside Richie and Bryan on the show’s 23rd season.
